Jhunjhunu

Jhunjhunu is the most important town of Shekhawati region and is known for its grand mansions (havelis) and frescoes. The town has recent history from 1730 onwards when it was conquered by Rajputs. The bravery and valor of Rajputs is depicted in its poetry and monuments. However, certain places in Jhunjhunu have association with the legends of Mahabharata.

Jhunjhunu lies in the desert part of Rajasthan but is also surrounded by the Aravalis on one side. Thus, it has green valleys and beautiful captivating country-side. Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat conquered Jhunjhunu in 1730 and developed the town.

Jhunjhunu has countless painted havelis. The mansions were built by prosperous merchants in the nineteenth century. The colorful paintings on walls and ceilings depict the culture, fauna and flora of the land of Rajasthan. Several of these havelis have now been converted into hotels. Modi Haveli is basically two havelis situated opposite each other. It has paintings with modern scenes from British India. Kaniram Narsinghdas Tibrewal Haveli shows a goods train laden with livestock cross a passenger train. Narudin Farooqi Haveli has floral motifs in Islamic style and is made predominantly in blue color. Paintings in Mohanlal Ishwardas Haveli depict the legend of Krishna stealing the clothes of gopis.

Lohargal in Jhunjhunu is a holy shrine lying in the lap of Aravalis. It is believed that Pandvas, the heroes of the Mahabharata bathed themselves and their weapons in the Surya Kund here that led to their salvation. People come here every year in large numbers to take a dip in its holy water on Bhadrapad Amavasya.

Other places of tourist interest here include Badalgarh Fort; Jorawargarh Fort built by Thakur Jorawar Singh, the son of Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat; Akhegarh Fort built by Thakur Akhe Singh, another son of Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat and Khetri Mahal- built by Thakur Bhopal Singh of Khetri.

Jhunjhunu is an undiscovered gem of a place and is not run over by tourists. It is good for a leisurely vacation spent exploring the havelis and you can also enjoy camel safaris here.

How to reach

From Delhi: 245 km that can be covered in Five hours

From Jaipur: 180 km that take Three and a half hours of journey time

From Bikaner: 235 km that can be covered in Four and a half hours of travel time